Though he heard a prediction recently that his photograph would be on Page 1 of the Tri-Town Weekly, veteran Durham firefighter Kenny Scribner had no idea why.

That all changed last Wednesday, when he was named Androscoggin County Firefighter of the Year.

He received the award, based on long-term participation and contributions, during the Androscoggin County Firefighters Association banquet in Turner.

“It’s more based on lifetime achievement,” Durham Fire Chief Bill St. Michel said. “I can’t think of a more deserving individual to receive Androscoggin County’s Firefighter of the Year award. Ken became my deputy back in the ’70s and was deputy for 16 years. He was an intricate part of a multitude of changes, including transfer of the department to the town, new engines, new station, turnout gear just to name a few. He was passionate back then and he is now.”

St. Michel added that Scribner “has gained everyone’s respect with his quiet, unwavering dedication to the community and the department.”

Scribner has been a Durham firefighter since 1970. At that time, the department was managed by the corporation with only a modest contribution from the town. In 1974 he was promoted to deputy chief. Scribner remained deputy chief until 1990, when work made it difficult for him to stay active. Once he retired from Maine Oxy, Scribner rejoined the department in 2011 as a driver/operator and is still there day or night, ready to drive. He was elected Durham Fire Department Corp. president last February, and is also part of the safety and apparatus committees.

Diana Dimock, officer manager at Durham Fire & Rescue, said Scribner was an integral part in the acquisition of Durham’s quintuple combination aerial truck, which was purchased used from Parker Aerial Co. in Middlesex, N.J.

“He is always the first to sign up for our Fire Prevention Week classroom presentations to the students of Durham Elementary School and always does a spectacular gun safety class for the students during EMS week,” Dimock said.

Scribner, 66, was a member of the Army Reserves, and a lifetime member of Durham AMVETS Post 13. He is past president of the Durham Rod and Gun Club, a member of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine, a hunter safety instructor and an avid hunter. Scribner also sits on the town’s Budget Committee.

His wife, Pearl, once served Durham Fire & Rescue as a red phone operator/dispatcher.

Son Kenneth Scribner Jr. is a past member and first responder, and son Kris Scribner is a past member as a firefighter.

“I do this because I enjoy it. When I joined in 1970, you didn’t even get turnout gear. I had to buy my first boots,” Scribner said.

And as predicted, Scribner’s photograph is on the front page of the newspaper.

Dimock and Scribner get into a lot of lighthearted “back-and-forth,” he said. About a month ago, Dimock took a photo of Scribner, blew it up and called it “Durham’s Most Handsome Firefighter.” He razzed her about it, and told her he had shredded the photo when she noticed it was no longer on the office bulletin board.

Dimock was undeterred.

“You watch out, Kenny, you’re going to find your picture on the front of the Tri-Town Weekly some day,” Dimock said she told Scribner.

“I dare you,” he responded.

Dimock said she knew at the time that Scribner was going to get the county award, and told St. Michel the whole story.

“It’s the kind of thing that makes this a fun work environment,” she said. “It’s the whole firefighter family thing, really.”

Dimock said she told Scribner that as corporation president, he needed to attend the banquet in Turner.

“It didn’t raise any red flags for him,” she said.

Scribner said Thursday that the photo issue is settled, as far as he’s concerned.

“I’m trying to be real nice to her,” he said.

CUTLINE

Kenny Scribner poses in front of one of the trucks he drives for Durham Fire & Rescue, in a photograph taken by co-worker Diana Dimock, who predicted it would end up on Page 1 of the Tri-Town Weekly. Courtesy photo

Kenny Scribner poses in front of one of the trucks he drives for Durham Fire & Rescue, in a photograph taken by co-worker Diana Dimock, who predicted it would end up on Page 1 of the Tri-Town Weekly.